Package construction



March 26, A1963 R. M. WATTS ETAL 3,082,930

PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1960 '7 SheeLs-Sheel 1 THEIRATTORNEYS March 26, 1963 Filed NOV. l, 1960 R. M. WATTS ETAL PACKAGECONSTRUCTION 7y sheets-sheet 2 FIG. 4

INVENroR RICHARD M. wATTs EDWARD T. BRYANT BY 4W 2 gm THEIR ATTORNEYSMarch 26, 1963 R. M. WATTS ETAL 3,082,930

PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. l, 1960 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INvNToRsRICHARD M. wATTs EDWARD T. BRYANT THEIR ATTORNEYS March 26, 1963 R. M.WATTS ETAL PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Shee 4 Filed Nov. l, 1960 l 15r l@ www w l l ....L'

INVENTORS RICHARD M. WATTS EDWARD T. BRYANT THEIR ATTORNEYS March 26,1963 R. M. WATTS ETAL PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. l, 1960 7Sheets-Sheet 5 THEIR ATTORNEYS March 26, 1963 R. M. WATTS ETAL 3,082,930

PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1960 '7 SheetS-Shee'b 6 INVENTORSRICHARD M. WATT EDWARD T. BRYAN F1625 E" f4/1M www THEIR ATTORNEYS Mardi26, 1963 R. M. WATTS ETAL. 3,032,930

PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. l, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 7 KZ //j"/ ,//2/Z mvl-:NToR RlCHARD M. wATTs EDWARD T .BRYANT THEIR ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent Office 3,082,930 Patented Mar. 26, 1953 3,082,930 PACKAGECONSTRUCTION Richard M. Watts, Henrico County, and Edward T.

Bryant, Chesterfield County, Va., assignors to Reynolds Metals Company,Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 1, 1960, Ser. No.66,621 18 Claims. (Cl. 229-33) This invention relates to packageconstructions expandable to Lazy Susan arrangements, each packageconstruction including a central, collapsible receptacle having aplurality of containers secured to the outer surfaces of the sidewallsof the receptacle to form an integral unit.

I'his invention also relates to the particular containers andreceptacles tor such package constructions and the like, as well as tothe blanks for forming such containers and receptacles.

Each package construction of this invention generally comprises acollapsible receptacle having sidewall means that define an open end `ofthe receptacle when the receptacle is expanded to its article-receivingposition, the receptacle forming a at compact structure when collapsed.An endwall means is carried by the receptacle and effectively forms thebottom thereof when the Ireceptacle is expanded, whereby the expanded orerected receptacle is adapted to receive and support articles therein.

A plurality of containers are secured in aligned relation to Ithe outersurface of the sidewall means of the reecptacle, each container havingan open end extending in the same direction as the open end of theexpanded receptacle and having a closure means for selectively closingthe respective open end of the container.

When the receptacle is collapsed into a compact, substantially -flatarrangement, the interconnected containers are disposed into twocomponent rows in such a manner that the collapsed package constructionhas a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration. Asuitable overwrap, such as cellophane and the like, may be providedaround the package construction to maintain the same in its compact,collapsed condition.

When it is desired to expand the particular package construction into aLazy Susan type of arrangement, the overwrap is removed and thereceptacle is expanded or erected to its article-receiving position,whereby the interconnected containers a-re respectively disposedsubstantially radially about the expanded receptacle.

Thereafter, each closure means of the containers is opened andinterconnected to an adjacent container in such a manner that theclosure means provide at, traylike surfaces between the adjacentcontainers, the traylike surfaces being dispo-sed in a common planepassing over the open ends of the containers, whereby the expandedpackage construction simulates a Lazy Susan arrangement.

Such package constructions have a wide variety of uses. For example,crackers and the like can be packaged in the containers. Thereafter, thelled containers are asesmbled to the collapsed receptacles to formcompleted package constructions, the completed package constructionsbeing subsequently sold in their collapsed, compact conditions to theultimate consumers.

Subsequently, the consumers open and expand the package constructions inthe above manner and ll the erected receptacles with cheese dip or thelike, whereby the expanded constructions provide attractive servingunits -for the crackers and dip. Such package constructions can beutilized over and over again by the consumers, if desired, and can bereadily stored in their collapsed conditions.

Accordingly, the package constructions of this invention not onlyprovide means for packaging the desired articles but also provide meansfor attractively serving the same with a minimum of eitort andpreparation, thereby increasing the merchantability of the articlesoriginally packaged therein.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a packageconstruction having `one or more of the novel features set forth aboveand/ or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved container forsuch a packaging vconstruction or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved receptaclefor such a packaging construction or the like.

Further objects of this invention are to respectively provide blanks forforming such containers and receptacles.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description, which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the package construction of thisinvention and illustrates the vsame in its expanded and openedcond-tiion.

FIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates the packageconstruction in its expanded and unopened condition.

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the package construction and illustrates thesame in its partially expanded .condition.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom View `of the partially expanded packageconstruction illustrated in FIGURE v3.

FIGURE 5 is a -top view of the package construction in its collapsedcondition.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, bottom view of the expanded packageconstruction .of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the locking means ofthe package construction and is taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 `is a perspective, partially broken away view of one of thecontainers of this invention.

FIGURE `9' is a plan view of a container blank of this invention.

FIGURE 10 is a View similar lto FIGURE 8 and illustrates lanother methodof closing the container.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the receptacle of this invention, thereceptacle being in its expanded condition.

FIGURE `12 is a plan view of a receptacle blank of this invention.

FIGURE 13 is a View similar .to FIGURE 11 and illustrates the expandedvreceptacle with the endwall thereof partially brok-en away. l

FIGURE 14-is a perspective view illustrating one method of making thepackage construction of this invention.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view illustrating another packageconstruction of this invention in its collapsed condition.

FIGURE 16 is a side view illustrating the method of initially expandingthe package construction of FIGURE 15 FIGURE 17 is a perspective view ofthe package construction of FIGURE 15 in its partially expandedcondition.

FIGURE 18 is a top view of the package construction in its fullyexpanded condition.

FIGURE 19 is a plan view of another' receptacle blank of this invention.

FIGURE 2O is a perspective View illustrating .one of the steps in themethod of forming a receptacle from the blank of FIGURE 19.

FIGURE 21 is a view similar to FIGURE 20, illustrating the completedreceptacle in its collapsed condition.

FIGURE 22 is a perspective view illustrating the receptacle of FIGURE 2lin its partially expanded condition. FIGURE 23 is a view simnar orFIGURE 22 and illustrates the receptacle in its fully expandedcondition.

FIGURE 24 is airagmentary, cross-sectional view of the receptacleillustrated in FIGURE 23 and is taken on line 2424 thereof. FIGURE 25 isa bottom, perspective view of the eX- panded receptacle illustrated inFIGURE 23. Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 5, one embodiment of thepackage construction of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 20 and comprises a plurality of containers 21a, 2lb,21C, 21d, 21e, and 211, secured to a collapsible receptacle 22.

When the package construction 2i) is collapsed, by collapsing thereceptacle 22, the containers 21a-21]c are arranged in two opposedcompact rows 23 and 24 on each side of the attened receptacle 22, FIGURE5, whereby the collapsed package construction 26 has a substantiallyrectangular cross-sectional contguration.

If desired, the package construction 2t) can be initially maintained inits collapsed condition in any suitable manner, and in the embodimentillustrated in FIGURE 5, an overwrap 25, such as cellophane or the like,is provided to maintain the package construction 2i) in its collapsedcondition.

When it is desired to expand the package construction 20, the overwrap25 is removed and the receptacle 22 isv expanded to itsarticle-receiving position, FIGURE 2, with the containers 21a-21]c beingdisposed substantially radially about the receptacle 22. w

Thereafter, the respective closure means 26a--26f of the containers21a-211|c are opened and interconnected to adjacent containers 21d-21]cin the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, whereby an attractive Lazy Susanltraylike arrangement is provided.

Such a package construction has a wide variety of uses, andone such useis illustrated in FIGURE 1, wherein the containers 21a-21;c containcrackers 27 and the receptacle 22 contains a cheese dip 28 or the like.Thus, the containers 21a-21]c can be originally lled with the crackers27, and the lled package construction 20 can be displayed and sold tothe ultimate consumer in its collapsed condition, as illustrated inFIGURE 5. When the consumer desires to serve the crackers .27, theconsumer merely removes the overwrap 25 and expands the construction 20to the Lazy Susan arrangement of FIGURE 1. After disposing the desiredproduct, such as the cheese dip 28, into the receptacle 22, the expandedpackage construction 201 can be served Vinlany desired manner, such asby placing the same on a table or the like or passing the same around byhand, as the expanded package construction 20 `is locked in its expandedcondition in a manner hereinafter described to form a relatively rigidserving unit.

The package construction 20 can be utilized over and over again bymerely removing the product 28 from the receptacle 22 and collapsing theconstruction 20 to its compact storing condition of FIGURE 5. Even afterthe original products disposed in the containers 21a-2li have beenconsumed, additional and other types of products can be used to refillthe containers 2a21f.

Accordingly, not only does the package construction 20 provide means forpackaging the desired articles, but the same also has the additionalfeature of providing an attractive serving arrangement for the consumer.

While the package construction 20 has been described as beingparticularly adaptable for serving Acrackers and a cheese dip therefor,it is to be understood that the package construction can be utilized forserving other food products, such as candy and the like. Further, such apackage unit can be utilized to originally package articles unrelated tothe Lazy Susan arrangement of the construction, whereby the salabilityof the articles is enhanced as the package construction can later beutilized by the consumer as a serving unit in the above manner when theoriginal product is removed from the containers.

'Ille more specic details of the package construction 20 will now bedescribed.

The containers 2MP-21)F may each comprise a container 21, FIGURE 8,formed from a container blank 29, FIGURE 9, the container blank 29 beingformed of any suitable material, such as cardboard or the like.

The blank 29 is suitably cut and score to define a rectangular endwall3G respectively foldably connectedat the side edges thereof to sidewalls31, 32, 33, and 34, the side edges of the endwall 3G being deiined bythe score or fold lines -38.

A pair of interconnecting ilaps 39 and 40 are respectively foldablyconnected to the opposed ends of the sidewall 31 at the score or foldlines 41 and 42. Similarly, a pair interconnecting flaps 43 and 44 arerespectively foldably connected to the opposed ends ofthe sidewall 33 atthe score or fold lines 45 and 46.

A pair of endwall aps 47 and 48 are respectively Ifoldably connected :tothe free ends of the sidewalls 32 and 34 at the respective score or foldlines 49 and 50, the endwall aps 47 and 48 respectively having arcuateends 51 and 52.

The closure flap or endwall 26 is foldably connected to the end edge ofthe sidewall 33 at the score or fold line S3.

An interlocking tongue portion 54 is -formed by scoring the closure ap26 at 55 along a line substantially parallel to the score line 53.However, the score 5S terminates short of the central portion of theclosure ilap 26 and interconnects with a die cut S6, carving a graspingtab 57 out of the tongue portion 54, the grasping tab 57 Istarting fromthe score 55 and 'extending toward the tip S8 of the tongue portion 54.

The tongue portion 54 is substantially triangular and has angularlydisposed edges 59 and 60 respectively extending from the ends of thescore 55 to the tip 58.

The closure flap 26 is foldable into three sections or portions 61, 62,and 63, by being scored along lines 64 and 65, the score lines 64 and 65respectively extending kfrom the opposed ends of the score or fold line53 and intersecting each other at the tip S8 of the tongue portion 54for a purpose heerianter described. The score lines 64 and 65 are formedin the closure flap 26, in a direction opposite to the direction of theother scores in the blank 29 and divide the closure ilap 26 into thethree sections 61-63 that are adapted to cooperate with the othercontainers 21 in the package construction 20 as will be apparenthereinafter.

In particular, the embodiment of the blank 29 illustrated in FIGURE 9has the scores 64 and 65 indented into the unexposed side of the blank29, whereas the scores 35-38, 40, 41, 45, 46 and 5S are indented intothe exposed side ofthe blank 29.

The length of the score line 65 is substantially the same as the Widthof the sidewall 31, whereby the closure iiap 26 is adapted to beinterconnected with an adjacent, similar container 21 in the packageconstruction 20 to form the tray-like surface therebetween in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 1.

A die cut 66 is formed in the sidewall 31 and defines a flap 167 thereinwhich has a substantially trapezoidal configuration, the lflap 67 andthe slot means or die cut 66 providing locking means for the closureflap -26 in a Imanner hereinafter described.

After the blank 29 has been cut and scored in the above manner, the sameis formed into the container 21 by bringing the sidewalls 31 and 33substantially perpendicular to the endwall 30. The respective pairs ofinterconnecting flaps 39, 40Vand 43, 44, of the sidewalls 31 and 33 arefolded perpendicular thereto and extend toward each other in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 8.

Thereafter, the sidewalls 32 and 34 are bent substantially perpendicularto the sidewall '30 and are respectively brought into contact with theouter surfaces of the respective pairs of adjacent interconnecting flaps40, 44 and 39, 43. The sidewalls 32 and 34 are respectively secured tothe pairs of interconnecting flaps 40, 44 and 39, 43 by a suitableadhesive or lthe like.

After the container 21 is filled with the desired product, the endvflaps 47 and 43 of the sidewalls 32 and 34 are brought over the openend 69 of the container 21 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 8.

The endwall or closure flap 26 is folded at the score of -fold line 53and brought over the open end 69 of the container 21 to completely closethe open end 69, and the tongue portion 54 is bent perpendicularlythereto and inserted between the edges of the endwall flaps `47 and V4Sand the inside surface of the sidewall 31. The tip 58 of the tongueportion 54 is inserted through the slot means 66 kof the sidewall 31 tolock the closure fiap 26 in its closed position.

The slot means 66 is so constructed and arranged that the edges l59 and60 of the tongue portion 54 make contact with the respective terminalends of the slot means 66 when the closure fiap 26 is disposed flushywith the open end 69 of the container 21, whereby `further movement ofthe closure iiap 26 toward the container -21 is prevented. Thus, theslot means 66 not only provides means for selectively locking theclosure flap 26 in its closed position, but also prevents the closureflap 26 from being pushed downwardly into the container 21 Ibeyond theopen end 64 thereof and damaging the product disposed therein.

When the tongue portion 54 has been inserted in the slot means 66 in themanner illustrated in FIGURE 8, the flap 67 defined thereby is pushedslightly inwardly by the tongue portion 54 and tends to spring back intothe natural plane of the sidewall 31 because of the resiliency of thematerial of the blank 29. Accordingly, the flap 6'7 pushes outwardlyagainst the adjacent area of the tongue portion 54 and compresses thetongue portion 54 between the iiap 67 and the inside surface of the-sidewall 31 to Ifrictionally hold the closure liap 26 in the closedposition.

When the closure flap 26 is disposed in the closed posi- Ition, FIGURE8, the grasping tab 57 rests against the free edge 70 of the sidewall 31and projects slightly beyond the outer surface of the sidewall 31. Inthis manner, the grasping tab 57 also cooperates with the slot means 66to prevent movement of the closure flap 26 into the container 21 beyondthe plane of the open end 69 thereof.

When it is desired to open the container 21, it is merely necessary tograsp the tab 57 and lift outwardly, whereby the tongue portion 54 canbe withdrawn Vfrom the slot means 66. Also, a fingernail or the like canbe inserted under the tab 57 through the die cut `56, and, thereafter,raised outwardly to release the tongue portion 54 from the slot means66.

If desired, the closure fiap or endwall 26 can close the open end 69 ofthe container 21 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE l0.

In particular, the tongue portion 54 of the closure flap 26 is broughtover the outer surface of the sidewall 31 and inserted behind the flap67 and into the slot means 66. Thus, not only does the slot means 66prevent further movement of lthe closure flap 26 into the container 26in the manner previously set forth, but also the closure iiap 26 isbrought against the free edge '70 of the sidewall 31, whereby furtherinward movement of the closure ap 26 is prevented by the free edge 70 ofthe sidewall 31.

While it is not illustrated, it is to be understood that suitable linersand the like may be provided for the container 21, if desired.

The collapsible receptacle 22 of the package vconstruction 20 can beformed from a blank 71, FIGURE l2, formed of any suitable material, suchas cardboard or the like.

The lblank 71 is suitably cut land scored to define an aligned series offoldably connected sidewalls 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77, respectivelyconnected together at the score or fold lines 78-82.

An interconnecting flap 83 is foldably connected to the free edge of thesidewall 72 at the score or fold line 84.

An endwall or bottom 85 is foldably connected to the end edge of thesidewall 77 at the score or fold line v86. The endwall 85 has asubstantially hexagonal configuration because there are six sidewalls72-77. However, since the receptacle 22 may be formed with any desirednumber of sidewalls, the end wall 85 would be formed with acomplementary number of iside edges, as will be apparent hereinafter.

The endwall 85 has opposed pairs of side edges 87, -88 and I89, 90,respectively terminating at outwardly projecting locking tabs `91 and92, the tabs 91 and 92 being located at the opposed ends of a medialscore or -fold line 93.

The other side edge of the endwall 85 is defined by a score or fold line94 foldably connecting an interconnecting -iiap 95 to the endwall '85.

A pair of endwall supporting flaps 96 and 97 are respectively foldablyconnected to the end edges of the sidewalls 7=2 and 76 at the respectivescore or fold lines 98 and 99. The support flaps 96 and 97 havesubstantially trapezoidal configurations and respectively haveinterconnecting fiaps 100 and 101 foldably connected to the outer edgesthereof at the score or fold lines '102 and 103. The support fiaps 96and 97 respectively extend from one edge of the sidewalls 72 and 76 topoints short of the other end edges thereof and are medially scored atI104 and v105 for purposes hereinafter described.

The medial score or fold lines 93, 104, and 105 in the endwall 85 andsupport flaps 96 and 97 are formed in the blank 71 in an oppositedirection from the other score or fold lines to permit the endwall 85and support flaps 96 and 97 to be folded in a particular direction, aswill be hereinafter apparent.

In particular, the embodiment of the blank 71 illustrated in FIGURE l2has the scores 93, 104 and 105 indented into the exposed side of theblank 71, whereas the scores 7S- 82, 84, `86, 94, 98, 99', 102 and 103are indented into the unexposed side of the blank 71..

After the blank 7,1 has been cut and scored in the above manner, thesame is assembled in any desired manner to form the receptacle 22illustrated in FIGURE 11.

One such method of assembling the blank 71 is 4to interconnect thesidewalls 72*77 into a continuous sidewall means by securing theinterconnecting liap 83 to the inside surface of the sidewall 77 by lasuitable adhesive .or the like.

Thereafter, the interconnecting flaps 100 and 101 of the support flaps96 and 97 are respectively secured to the inside surfaces of thesidewalls 73 and 75 by a suitable adhesive or the like, as bestillustrated in FIGURE 13.. In this manner, when the receptacle 22 isexpanded or erected to its article-receiving position, the support flaps96 and 97 extend across the open end 106 thereof in the same plane asthe open end 106. However, the support flaps 96 and 97 are soconstructed and arranged that the same respectively define .slots 1,07and 1.08 at the juncture of the respective pairs of adjacent sidewalls72, 73 and 75, 76.

The interconnecting liap 9.5 of the endwall 85 is then secured to theinside surfaceof the sidewall 7=4 by a suitable adhesive or .the like.The endwall 85 is interconnected to the sidewall 74 in such a mannerthat the support iiaps 96 and V97l aredisposed across the outer surfaceof the endwall 85 (see FIGURE 6), when the receptacle is expanded toarticle-receiving position, whereby the endwall S is supported acrossthe open end 106 'of the receptacle 22 by the support flaps 96 and 97and is adapted to support a load disposed therein.

, .When the receptacle 22 is expanded to article-receiving position, theendwall 85 is adapted to lock the receptacle 22 in its article-receivingposition by respectively inserting the locking tabs 91 and 92 of theendwall 85 into the slots 108 and i107defined respectivelyby the supportflaps 97 and 96. For example, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, when thelocking tab 91 is inserted in the slot 108, the locking tab 91 has theouter portion thereof disposed beneath the end edges of the sidewalls 75and 76. Similarly, the locking tab 92 has the outer portion thereofdisposed beneath the end edges of the sidewalls 72 and 73, lwhereby theendwall S5 is maintained in its flattened condition and holds thesidewalls 72,-77 of the receptacle 22 in its expandedcondition.

In practice, when the receptacle 22 is expanded to its article-receivingposition,'it is merely necessary to push the tabs 91 and 92 toward theVopen end 106 of the recepta'cle 22 until `the same snap into therespective slots l108 and 107 and lock the receptacle 22 in its openedposition. Thus, the sidewalls 72-77 can not be collapsed toward eachother as the endwall 85 is held in its flattened position across theopen end 106 of the receptacle by the locking tabs 91 and 92 and has theside edges 87, 88, 89 and 90 thereof respectively disposed in abuttingengagement with the inside surfaces of the sidewalls 76 and 72 and theinterconnecting flaps 101 and` 100. Therefore, the locked endwall S5causes the sidewalls 72-77 to remain n'their expanded hexagonalconfiguration as illustrated in FIGURES 1l and 13 until it is desired tocollapse the receptacle 22. When it is desired to collapse thereceptacle 22, the locking tabs 91 'and 92 of the endwall 85 arewithdrawn from vbeneath the end edges of the respective pairs ofsidewalls 75, 76 and 72, 73, and the series of sidewalls 76, 77 and 72is brought toward the series of sidewalls 75, 74 and 73 by folding theendwall 85 along its medial score or fold line 93 in the mannerillustrated in FIG- URES 3 and 4.

In practice, the endwall 85 can have the tabs 91 and 92 thereof unlockedfrom the slots 108 and 107 'by merely pushing inwardly on the outsidecentral portion of the endwall 85 until the tabs 91 and 92 have beenforced inwardly from beneath the end edges of the respective pairs ofsidewalls 75, 76 and 72, 73.

Thus, as the endwall 85 is progressively folded along the medial scoreline 93 thereof and has the central portion thereof progressively movedfrom the open end 106 toward the open end 109 of the receptacle 22, theseries of sidewalls 76, 77 and 72 and 75, 74 and 73 begin to flatten outand progressively move toward each other, as illustrated in FIGURES 3and 4, with the endwall 85 being folded therebetween. y

' Similarly, the end wall supporting flaps 96 and 97 are alsoprogressively folded on the respective medial fold lines 104 and 105thereof and have the central portions thereof progressively moved fromthe open end 106 toward the open end 109 of the receptacle 22, wherebythe support flaps 96 and 97 are respectively folded between the pairs ofsidewalls 72, 73 and 75, 76.

Since the medial scores 93, 104 and 105 of the endwall 95 and supportflaps 96 and 97 are scored in an opposite direction from the directionof the other scores in the blank 71 of the receptacle 22, the same willtend to fold between the collapsing sidewalls 72-77 of the receptacle 22rather than outwardly therefrom, whereby the .endwall 8S and supportflaps 96-and 97 are folded between the sidewalls 72-77 in a compactmanner.

The receptacle 22 is collapsed in the above manner until the endwall 85and the support liaps 96 and 97 are completely 'folded into adjacenthalves and the series of sidewalls 76, 77 and 72 are disposed parallelto the series of sidewalls 75, 74 and 73 in the flat, compact conditionillustrated in FIGURE 14.

'Ihe package construction 20 can be assembled from the thus-formedcontainers 26 and receptacles 22 in any suitable manner, and, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGURE 14, the containers 21a-21] are arrangedinto two compact rows 23 and 24. The row 24 consists of the containers21a-21o arranged with the closure liaps 26a- 26e thereof extending inthe same direction to the left. Similarly, the row 23 consists of thecontainers 21d-211c arranged with the closure flaps 26d-267c extendingin the same direction to the right.

Thereafter, the row 24 of the containers 21a- 21C is secured to theouter surfaces of the series of sidewalls 72, 77 and 76 of the liattenedreceptacle 22 by having the respective sidewalls 32a-32C of thecontainers 21a21c secured by a suitable adhesive or the like to therespective sidewalls '72, 77 and 76 of the receptacle 22, each sidewall32a-32e of the containers 21a-21C having the same width as the width ofthe respective sidewalls 72, 77 and 76 of the receptacle 22. Similarly,the sidewalls 32d-32f of the containers 21d-21]c are secured by asuitable adhesive or the like to the outer surfaces of the respectivesidewalls 75, 74 and 73 of the receptacle 22.

The containers 21a-21]c can be filled with the desired product before orafter the same have been secured to the receptacle 22 to form thepackage construction 20. Further, the containers 21a-21f and receptacles22 can be manufactured and assembled by automatic` machinery or thelike, whereby a plurality of package constructions 20 can becontinuously produced.

While the height of the receptacle 22 as illustrated in the drawings issubstantially smaller than the height of the containers 21, it is to beunderstood that the height of the receptacle 22 can be the same as orgreater than the height of the containers 21, as desired. However, inthe embodiment illustrated, the containers 21a-21]c are assembled to thereceptacle 22 in such a manner that the open end 109 of thereceptacler22 is disposed in the same plane as the open ends 69a-69f oflthe containers 21a-213, whereby the package construction 20 restssolely on the endwalls 30a-30j of the containers 21a-21]c and theendwall 8S of the receptacle isl spaced inwardly from the endwalls30a-30j in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7.

In this manner, when the expanded package construction 20 is disposed inthe position illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 2 on a suitable supportingsurface (not shown), any articles disposed in the receptacle 22 on theendwall means thereof, such as the cheese dip 28 and the like, tend toforce the endwall means 85 downwardly toward the supporting surfacewhereby the thus attened endwall means 85 tends to hold the sidewalls ofthe receptacle 22 in their article-receiving positions in the mannerpreviously described. Therefore, the article or articles received in thereceptacle 22 assist in maintaining the receptacle in itsarticle-receiving position.

After the package construction 20 has been assembled in the manner setforth above, the same may be provided with the overwrap 25, FIGURE 5, tomaintain the same in its collapsed condition.

When it is desired to form the expanded Lazy Susan arrangementillustrated in FIGURE l, the overwrap 25 is removed and the receptacle22 is expanded and locked Into its hexagonal configuration in the mannerpreviously described, whereby the containers 21:1--211c are disposed inthe radial positions illustrated in FIGURE 2.

' Thereafter, each container 21a- 2li is opened by unlocking therespective closure flap 26a- 26j thereof in the manner previouslydescribed. Each closure flap 26a-26f is then interconnected to anadjacent container in the following manner.4

For example, the closure flap 26a of the container 21a is opened and hasthe section 63a thereof folded substantially perpendicular to thecentral section 62a along the fold line 65a. The bent portion or section63a is then adapted to be inserted between the product 27 and the insidesurface of the sidewall 3112 of the container 21b, whereby the centralportion 62a of the closure flap 26a completely lls the space between theadjacent containers 21a and 2lb and provides a triangular tray-likesurface therebetween in the same plane as the open ends 69a and 69h ofthe containers 21a and 2lb. The other section 61a of the closure ilap26a is bent substantially perpendicular to the central portion 62athereof along the fold line 64a, whereby the portion 61a provides anattractive triangular edging between the adjacent containers 21a and2lb.

Since the score or fold lines 64a and 65a are formed in the closure iiap26a in a reverse direction, the sections 61a and 63a of the closure apl26a can be readily bent in the desired direction to form the respectiveedging and interlocking means.

Each closure flap i26zz-26f is folded in the above manner andinterconnected to the respective adjacent container to provide thetray-like Lazy Susan arrangement illustrated in FIGURE l.

The size of the containers 21a-21]t is such that the central sections62a-62f of the respective closure tlaps 26a- 26j completely till thespaces between the adjacent containers 21a-S21)c when the closure flaps26a-26f are interconnected therebetween.

The thus interlocked closure flaps 26a-26f assist the endwall S inmaintaining the package construction 26 in its expanded, rigid, servingcondition.

When it is desired to collapse the package construction 20 illustratedin FIGURE l, after the contents 28 of the receptacle 22 are removed, theclosure flaps 26a-26f are disconnected from the adjacent containers andare utilized to reclose the respective containers 21a--21f in either ofthe two manners previously set forth.

Thereafter, the central receptacle 22 is collapsed to compact thepackage construction into its collapsed form illustrated in `FIGURE 5.Thus, the package construction 20 can be stored in its compact,collapsed condition and utilized over and over again.

Another package construction of this invention is illustrated in itscompact, collapsed condition in FIGURE 15 and is generally indicated bythe reference numeral 12th, the package construction 120 comprising aplurality of containers similar to the containers 21 previously.described, and a collapsible, central receptacle 121. Since thecontainers of the package construction 120 can be substantiallyidentical to the containers 21a-21jc of the package construction 2t), ifdesired, the containers of the package construction .120 are indicatedby like reference numerals and letters followed by a prime mark.

As illustrated in FIGURE 15, when the package construction 1-26 isdisposed in its collapsed position, .the containers 21a--21c thereof arearranged in a compact row l122 that is substantially superimposed uponanother compact row 1-23 formed by the containers 21M-A211". Thereceptacle 121 is disposed in a substantially at condition against oneside of the opposed rows 122 and |126-, whereby the resulting collapsedpackage construction 120 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectionalconfiguration.

The package construction 120 may be originally maintained in itscompact, collapsed condition by a suitable overwrap 124 in substantiallythe same manner as the overwrap 25 of FIGURE 5, or by other suitablemeans, as desired.

Since the closure ilaps 26a', 26h and 26C' of the containers 21:1', 2lband 21e' are respectively disposed against the closure flaps 26j", 26eand 26d of the containers 21]", 21e' .and 21d when the packageconstruction .120 is in its collapsed position, such an arrange- 10 mentprovides a tamper-'proof relation of the containers 21d-2li and alsopermits the individual closure flap locking means of the containers 21aand 21f' to be eliminated, if desired.

When it is desired to expand the package construction 120 to its LazySusan arrangement, the overwrap i124 is removed and the containers421a-21c' are moved relative to the containers .21d-21f in substantiallythe manner illustrated in FIGURE 16. As the two sets of containers21a-21c and 21d-21)" are moved relative to each other, the receptacle121 begins to expand in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 17 and causesthe containers I21a-21]" to spread relative to each other, until thesame are disposed in substantially radial positions about the receptacle121 when the receptacle 121 has been fully erected to itsarticle-receiving position as illustrated in FIGURE r1-8.

Thereafter, the closure aps 26a'-26f are utilized to form the completedLazy Susan, tray-like arrangement by interconnecting the same withadjacent containers in the manner previously described and as partiallyillustrated in FIGURE .18.

Subsequently, any desired article or articles can be .disposed in the`receptacle .121 in t-he manner previously described.

The collapsible receptacle 1,21 may be for-med from the receptacle blankof this invention illustrated in FIG- URE 19 and generally indicated bythe reference numeral 125.

The receptacle blank 125 is formed from any suitable material, and, inthe embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the container blank 125 isformed from cardboard and the like, which may have the interior orexterior surface or both thereof covered with an attractive liningmaterial, such as aluminum foil and the like.

The receptacle blank 125 is suitably cut and scored to deiine asubstantially rectangular endwall means 126; a Irst series i127 offoldably connected outer sidewalls 128, |129, and i130; a second series131 offoldably connected outer sidewalls 132, 133, and 134, and a pairof inner sidewalls '135 and 136. The various walls of the receptacleblank 125 yare defined by a pair of parallel score or fold lines 137 and138 and a pair of transversely dis- 1 posed, parallel score -or foldlines 139 Vand `140. In this manner, the middle sidewalls 1129 and |133of the series 127 and 131 of sidewalls are respectively foldablyconnected to opposed side edges of the endwall means y126 at the scoreor fold lines 137 and 138. Similarly, the inner sidewalls '135 and 136are respectively foldably connected to the other opposed side edges ofthe endwall means 126 at the score or fold lines 139 and 140. The

` inner sidewalls 135 and 136 are respectively foldably connected to theterminal sidewalls 128, 132 and 130, `134 of the series 127 and 1i3'1 oflsidewalls at the respective `score or fold lines 137 and 1138.

Each inner sidewall and 136 is divided into three triangular sections141, 142., and `143 by a pair of fold or score lines 144 and `145, thefold lines 144 and 145 each being `disposed at angles of approximately45 with the respective score or fold lines 139 and 140 and inter.

secting each other at the outer edge of the respective inner sidewall135 and 136, at points equidistant from the score lines 13-7 and 138.-If desired, the score or fold lines `144 and 145 can comprise a seriesof die cuts or slits to facilitate the folding of the sidewalls 1-35 and136 in a manner hereinafter described, or can Icom-prise a series ofslits that pass only partially through the sidewalls 135 and 136.

A plurality of interconnecting flaps 146, 147, 148, and 149 arerespectively foldably connected to the outer edges of the sidewalls 128,130, 132, and 134 `at the respective score or fold lines 151, 152, 153,and 154, each interconnecting ap 146-149 having one edge 155 thereofdisposed at van angle of approximately 45 with the respective score orfold line 151454 :and :the other edge 1 1 thereof, l156 convergingtoward the edge 155, as illustrated in FIGURE 19'.

While the receptacle 121 can be formed from the receptacle blank 125 inany folding sequence thereof and by any suitable apparatus; one methodof forming the receptacle '121 from the receptacle blank 125 isillustrated in FIGURES 20 and 2l.

tAfter the blank 125 has been suitably cut and scored in the abovemanner, the interconnecting aps 146-149 vare respectively folded on therespective score or fold lines 151-154 so as to be superimposed on theinterior surfaces of the respective sidewalls 128, 130, i132, and 134 inthe manner illustrated in FIGURE 20. Thereafter, suitable adhesive isplaced on the exposed surfaces of the superimposed interconnecting iiaps146-149. Alternately, the ladhesive can be placed on the appropriateportions of the triangular sections 141 and 143 of the sidewalls -1354and 136 in addition to the adhesive placed on the exposed surfaces ofthe interconnecting flaps 146- 149 -or in lieu thereof. Subsequently,each series 127 and 1-31 of the sidewalls is folded on the respectivescore or fold lines 137 or 138, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 20,whereby the series 127 of Ithe sidewalls 12S-'130 are superimposed ontheir adjacent halves of the inner sidewalls 13S and .136 and theendwall means 1126,V while the series 131 of sidewalls 132-134 arefolded on their adjacent halves of the inner sidewalls A135 and 136 andthe endwall means 126, as illustrated in FIGURE 21. When the series 127and 131 of sidewalls are so folded, the interconnecting aps 146- 149 arerespectively secured to the triangular sections .i141 and 143 of theinner sidewalls 135 and 136 by the interposed layers of adhesive,whereby 'the receptacle 121 is formed and disposed in its collapsedposition.

After the receptacle 121 has been so formed, the collapsed, ilattenedreceptacle 121, as illustrated in FIGURE 21, is adapted to beassembledto the containers 21a 21j while arranged in the position illustrated inFIG- URE 15, by respectively securing `the interior surfaces of thesidewalls 41732, 133, 134, 130, 129, and 128 to the respective endwalls32a'-32f' of the containers 21a'- 21f by a suitable adhesive or thel-ike, in substantially, the same manner as the containers 21a21f areassembled to the collapsed receptacle 22.

Therefore, the receptacle :121 can be formed in a relatively simplemanner from .the blank 125 and, while in its tinished, collapsedcondition, effectively secured to the containers 21a-21 to form thecompleted package construction 120. Because the receptacle 121 is formedby a simple folding and gluing operation, conventional folding andgluing machinery can be utilized for forming a plurality of receptacles121, whereby the completed receptacles 121 can be subsequently securedto .the containers 21 without changing the conditions of the receptacles121 as they leave the forming apparatus. Further, a simple straight linegluing operation can be utilized to secure the receptacle-s 121 to thecontainers 2l.

The receptacle 121 is adapted to be erected or expanded toarticle-receiving position in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 22-25.When it is desired to erect the receptacle 121 from its collapsedcondition illustrated in FIG- URE 21, it is merely necessary to graspthe inner, abutting free edges of the outer sidewalls 129 and 133 andpull outwardly on the same, as illustrated in FIGURE 22, whereby eachseries 127 and 131 of lthe sidewalls is brought at substantially rightangles .to the endwall means 126. As the sidewalls 129 and 133 areprogressively moved away from the endwall means 126, the inner sidewalls135 and 136 are respectively 'bent on the score or told lines 144 and145 by the movement of the sidewalls 128 and 130, 132, and 134interconnected to the inner sidewalls 135 and l136 at the score or foldlines 137 and 138. .When the sidewalls 129 yand V133 lare brought at'right angles to the endwall means 126, the terminal sidewalls 128, 130and 132, 134 of the respective series 127 and 131 of sidewalls aredisposed with their free side edges adjacent each other to provide ahexagonal coniiguration with the sections 142 of the inner sidewalls 135and 136 extending from .the side edges 139 and 140 of the endwall means126 to the adjacent portions of the sidewalls 128, 132 and 130, 134 atthe open end 157 of the erected or expanded receptacle 121, asillustrated in FIGURES 23 and 24.

The expanded receptacle 121 is substantially leakproof, because .thesections 142 -of the inner sidewalls and 136 are integrally connected tothe endwall means 126 at the score or fold lines 139 and 140 and havetheir converging side edges detined by the score or fold lines 144 and145 respectively disposed in line contact with the interior surfaces ofthe outer sidewalls 128, 132 yand 130, 134. If lany material disposed inthe expandedreceptacle should leak past the triangular sections 142 ofthe inner sidewalls 135 and y136 at the side edges 144 and 145 thereof,the same is prevented from leaking out of the `receptacle 121 becausethe outer sidewalls 128, 132 yand 130, 134 are integrally connected tothe triangular sections .143 and 141 of the inner sidewalls 135 and .136at the bottom edges 137 and 138 thereof and at the side edges thereof bythe interconnecting flaps 146-149. Thus :a relatively liquid or powderedmaterial can be disposed in the expanded receptacle 121 without leakagethereof.

Thus, when the package construction 120 is expanded from the positionillustrated in FIGURE 15 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 18, thereceptacle 121 is expanded in the same manner as illustrated in FIGURE21-25, whereby the containers 21d-21]" are disposed substantiallyradially with respect to the expanded receptacle 121 to form the desiredLazy Susan arrangement. As illustrated in FIGURES l and 18, the closureflaps 26a'26f can be opened Iand interconnected lin the mannerpreviously described to provide the 4tray-like structure and fto holdthe package construction 120l in its expanded, serving condition.

While the sidewalls 12S-130 and 132-134 of the receptacle 121 are soconstructed and arranged that the endwall means 1'26 of the receptacle121 is suspended above -a supporting surface when the packageconstruction 126 is expanded and placed thereon, itis to be understoodthat the receptacle 121 could be so arranged that the endwall means 126also lrests on such supporting structure together with the containers21d-21j' or that endwall means 126 rests `on the supporting structure,'with fthe containers 21a'21f suspended above such supporting structure.

However, as illustrated in the embodiment in the drawings, when thesidewalls 12S-130 :and 132-134 of the receptacle 121 are utilized tosuspend the endwall means 126 above the supporting surface, any articleor articles placed in the receptacle 121 on the endwall means 126thereof tends to assist in holding the receptacle `121 in its`article-receiving position, because such downward force on the endwallmeans 126 tends to bring fthe sections 142 of the inner sidewalls 135and 136 at right angles thereto in directions opposite to theirreceptaclecollapsing directions.

When it is desired to collapse the expanded package construction 120,the closure aps 2-6a'-26f' are disconnected from the adjacent containers21d-21j" and the article or articles are removed from the receptacle1121. Thereafter, the package construction is collapsed in a simple andeffective manner to the position illustrated in FIGURE 15, whereby thepackage con-struction 120 can be stored in its compact condition.

Thus it can be seen that the package construction 120 can be utilizedfor the same purposes and in the same manner as the package construction20l previously described.

While the containers 21 have been illustrated as being utilized with thereceptacles 22 and 121 to form the package constructions 20 and 1'20, itis to be understood rthat any suit-able container structure orcombinations f container structures can be combined with the receptacles22 and 120 .to form the package constructions of this invention.

As an alternate construction, it is. possible to eliminate the end wall85 of the center collapsible receptacle shown in FIGS. 11-13 4and theend wall means 12'6 shown in FIGS. 15-20 so that the remaining sidewalls in .each embodiment become simply a band. This permits the LazySusan type of container to be arranged in the same manner as previouslydescribed but now the bottomless center receptacle allows the insertingof prepared cheeses or the like which are frequently sold in small cupsor jars. The use yof this arrangement has the advantage of reducing costand further of making the composite struc- -ture suitable for re-usesince .the Lazy Susan will not come in direct contact with the cheesedip.

Accordingly, it can be seen that this invention provides packageconstructions that can be shipped and stored in compact collapsedarrangements and subsequently expanded to attractive Lazy Susan servingunits when desired. The package constructions can be sold to theultimate consumers either with a desired product or products packaged inrthe containers thereof or with the containers empty, as the packageconstructions themselves can be utilized as serving units and, thus, aredesirable even by themselves, without the added feature of productsinitially sold therewith.

Also this invention provides improved containers and receptacles forforming `such package constructions and the like, 'as well as providesimproved blanks for forming such containers and receptacles. While thereceptacles and containers of this invention have been described asbeing particularly yadaptable for forming the package constructions ofthis invention, it is to be understood that the receptacles andcontainers can be utilized individually for other purposes, as desired.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow:

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a receptacle having sidewall means and a .pluralityof containers ysecured in aligned relation to the outer surface of saidsidewall means, each of said containers having lan open end and having aclosure means for closing the respective open end, said closure means ofeach container having a portion thereof receivable in said open end ofan adjacent container.

2. In combination, a collapsible receptacle having sidewall meansdefining an open end thereof when said receptacle is erected toarticle-receiving position, and a plurality of containers secured inaligned relation to the outer surface of said sidewall means, saidcontainers being substantially radially disposed relative to saidreceptacle when said receptacle is erected to article-receiving positionand being arranged into two rows when said receptacle is collapsed, eachof said containers having an open end extending in the same direction assaid open end of said receptacle and having closure means for closingsaid open end of the respective container, each closure means having aportion receivable in the open end of an adjacent container when saidreceptacle is erected to article-receiving position and having anotherportion thereof extending between said adjacent containers in the sameplane as said open ends thereof.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said closuremeans has a third portion foldable to a position substantiallyperpendicular to the portion thereof extending between said adjacentcontainers, whereby said third portions of said closure means provide anedging between said containers.

4. A collapsible receptacle comprising a plurality of outer sidewallsdefining .opposed ends of said `receptacle when said receptacle iserected to article-receiving position, an endwall foldably connected tocertain of said outer sidewalls and extending across one of said endswhen said receptacle is erected to article-receiving position, said endwall tending to maintain said receptacle in article-receiving positionwhen an article is supported on said endwall and said receptacle issuspended by said outer sidewalls, and a plurality of inner sidewallseach being foldably .connected to said endwall and to a plurality ofsaid outer sidewalls.

5. A receptacle blank comprising a 4series of foldably connectedsidewalls having opposed end edges, an endwall foldably connected to oneof said sidewalls at one of said end edges thereof, and a pair ofendwall supporting aps respectively foldably connected to said one endedge of a pair of said sidewalls, said series of sidewalls being adaptedto be disposed around the entire perimeter of said endwall.

6. A receptacle .blank as set forth in claim 5 wherein said endwall andsaid supporting flaps respectively have free edges and a plurality ofinterlocking aps are respectively foldably connected to said free edgesof said endwall and said supporting flaps.

7. A receptacle blank as set forth in claim 5 wherein said endwall ismedially scored along a line .disposed substantially parallel to saidone end edge of said series of sidewalls.

8. A receptacle blank as set forth in claim 7 wherein said endwall hasinterlocking tabs at each end `of said medial score line.

9. A receptacle blank comprising an endwall, a first series of foldablyconnected outer sidewalls foldably connected to said endwall, a secondseries of foldably connected outer sidewalls foldably connected to saidendwall, and a pair of inner sidewalls respectively foldably connectedto said endwall and to said first and second series of outer sidewalls.

10. A receptacle blank as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of saidinner sidewalls is foldable into three sections.

ll. A receptacle blank as set forth in claim 9 wherein each series ofouter sidewalls comprises three sidewalls, the middle sidewall of eachseries being foldably connected to said endwall, and the terminalsidewalls of each series being respectively foldably connected to saidinner sidewalls.

l2. A receptacle blank as set forth in claim 9 wherein a plurality ofinterconnecting flaps are respectively foldably connected to theterminal ends of said rst and second series of outer sidewalls.

13. A package construction expandable to a Lazy Susan arrangement andcomprising a collapsible receptacle having a plurality of sidewallsdefining an open end of said receptacle when said receptacle is expandedto article-receiving position, said receptacle having endwall meansproviding a surface for supporting an article disposed in saidreceptacle when said receptacle is expanded to article-receivingposition, and a plurality of containers respectively secured in alignedrelation to the outer surfaces of said sidewalls of said receptacle,each of said containers having an open end and a closure ap for closingthe respective open end of the container, each closure flap having aportion thereof receivable in the open end of an adjacent container whensaid receptacle is expanded to article-receiving position and havinganother portion thereof extending between said adjacent containers anddisposed in the same plane as said open ends thereof whereby saidexpanded construction simulates a Lazy Susan arrangement.

14. A package construction expandable for a Lazy Susan arrangement andcomprising a collapsible receptacle having a plurality of sidewallsdefining an Iopen end of said receptacle when sa-id receptacle isexpanded to articlereceiving position, said receptacle having end wallmeans providing a surface for supporting an article disposed in saidreceptacle when said receptacle is expanded to article-receivingposition, and a plurality of containers respectively secured in alignedrelation to the outer surfaces of the sidewalls of said receptacle, eachof said containers having an 4open end and a closure flap for closingthe respective open end of the container, each of said containers havingmeans for locking the respective closure flap in the closed position.

-15 In combination, a collapsible receptacle having sidewall means and aplurality of containers secured in aligned relation to the outersur-face of said sidewall means, said containers being substantiallyradially disposed relative to said receptacle when said receptacle iserected to article-receiving position and -being arranged into two rowswhen said receptacle is collapsed, said two rows of said containersbeing disposed in superimposed relation with said receptacle disposed atone side of `said superimposed rows when said receptacle is collapsed.

16. A container having a plurality of sidewalls defining a pair ofvopposed open ends thereof and having endwall means for respectivelyclosing said open ends, one of said sidewalls having a Aslot meanstherein, one of said endwall means being -foldably connected to asidewall opposite to said one sidewall and having a yfoldable tongueportion receivable in said slot means to close the respec- -tive openend of said contianer, said one endwall means being foldable along twoscore lines extending respectively from the opposite ends of saidopposite sidewall to the tip of said tongue portion.

17. A container having a plurality of sidewalls defining (a pair ofopposed open ends thereof and having endwall means yfor respectivelyclosing said open ends, one of said sidewalls having a slot meanstherein, said slot means dening a flap in said sidewall, said ap havinga substantially trapezoidal conguration, one of said endwall means being`folda'tzly connected to a sidewall opposite to said one sidewall andhaving a foldable tongue portion receivable in said slot means to closethe respective open end of said container.

18. A container blank comprising a rst endwall, a plurality of sidewallsrespectively `foldably connected jtol the side edges of said firstendwall along end edges thereof, and a second endwall Ifoldablyconnected to one of said sidewalls dong an opposite end edge thereof,said endwall havin-g a tongue portionlfoldable along a score meansdisposed substantially parallel to said opposite end edge of said onesidewall, said second endwall being foldable along two score `linesextending respectively from the opposed ends of said opposite end edgeof said one sidewall to the tip of said tongue por-tion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. IN COMBINATION, A RECEPTACLE HAVING SIDEWALL MEANS AND A PLURALITY OFCONTAINERS SECURED IN ALIGNED RELATION TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAIDSIDEWALL MEANS, EACH OF SAID CONTAINERS HAVING AN OPEN END AND HAVING ACLOSURE MEANS FOR CLOSING THE RESPECTIVE OPEN END, SAID CLOSURE MEANS OF